|
|
Post by m240 on Nov 22, 2023 13:32:57 GMT -6
Two years ago you did not even think that Brown would ever be a starter. I did. We were both wrong. Each time Brown goes through the lineup his era jumps by 3 runs. He looks lites out, then goes to crap and then worse than crap. Cease was second to Verlander in 22 for the Cy Young. I do not know where you got your xfip numbers but that is not what I saw in the trade conversations about this deal. They had Cease's xfip at a full run lower than his era. McCormick is one of my favorite players. He seems to get better each year but he trailed off at the end of last year and his next year may go back to where we are arguing about whether he or Meyers is the better player. Urquidy is a 5th starter at best and even then only for a half of a year before he gets hurt, Matthews was over drafted and did not show me nothing last year and the other two guys were throw ins not head liners so probably no value there. The Rangers are going to spend money this winter and we are not. They will be better than we are next year unless we do something to shake things up without spending money. What ideas do you have to improve the team. Most rookies struggle with things. Brown was not an exception. He needs to learn more how to work deep and limit home runs. You can check Fangraphs for xFIP; Brown was actually a full run better than Cease last season. "The Rangers are going to spend money this winter and we are not." Well, you may be right. But that's on Crane's doorstep. He's going to have to get over his aversion to big contracts or watch this team's window keep closing. The trade you suggested might improve this team for the next couple of years, but it might not, and giving up Brown and Matthews + others will definitely make it harder in the years after that. We have got to stop trading prospects or we're going to end up in a situation where we have to rebuild again. This team could use improvements, but it doesn't need much. They can fill out the bullpen in free agency. There are free agent options that could help in the outfield and not cost and arm and a leg. Or maybe a trade that wouldn't cost a ton, like getting Alex Verdugo's last year from the Red Sox. With what we have, and possibly LMJ and Garcia returning for the second half, we don't need to get a starting pitcher, but they could go for someone who isn't top of the market, like Stroman or Giolito or Maeda. Of course, I'd be all for a Yamamoto or Montgomery signing, but again, Crane has to decide how much he really loves winning. Time will tell on Brown. I do not have a lot of faith in his ability to be a starter. I think he would be a lights out reliever. Having a bullpen with Brown, Graveman, Abreu, and Presley would be pretty solid. Adding Arrigetti and signing a reasonable free agent would prettying much take care of the relief side of things. Getting a Stroman, Giolito, or Mazda and then trading them at the deadline would make a slot of sense. Adding a 770 ops outfielder would pretty much wrap things up |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 22, 2023 14:00:39 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 22, 2023 15:44:40 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 22, 2023 16:18:48 GMT -6
2024 Verlander Yamamoto Javier Brown Urquidy/France until Garcia gets back *trade Valdez + Meyers to the Mets for Marte, Parada (top catching prospect - already have Alvarez in the majors) and maybe a pitching prospect who can be a good reliever Altuve Bregman Alvarez Tucker Marte/Abreu Abreu/Marte Diaz McCormick Pena Bench Dubon, Wagner and who knows+++ |
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Nov 22, 2023 22:42:28 GMT -6
Trading Chas for OF help just creates the need for more OF help... That’s why you spend more and just add a player. We shall see. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 22, 2023 22:51:11 GMT -6
That’s why you spend more and just add a player. We shall see. I’m sticking up for your godson Chas here. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 23, 2023 6:17:56 GMT -6
I’m sticking up for your godson Chas here. His other godson, LMC, is going to be jealous |
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Nov 23, 2023 23:43:23 GMT -6
I'm disappointed LMC hasn't been healthy, but I don't think he's deserving of the hate. He didn't hype himself up as a free agent to try and get some giant contract. He wanted to stay in Houston, they gave him a reasonable extension (partially for what he had already done rather than what he might do), he took it, and he's been hurt. It's not like he wants to be hurt.
He's always been supportive of the team and the city, and he's one of our top all-time postseason pitchers.
Hopefully he'll give us some more quality work next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 24, 2023 0:32:18 GMT -6
I'm disappointed LMC hasn't been healthy, but I don't think he's deserving of the hate. He didn't hype himself up as a free agent to try and get some giant contract. He wanted to stay in Houston, they gave him a reasonable extension (partially for what he had already done rather than what he might do), he took it, and he's been hurt. It's not like he wants to be hurt. He's always been supportive of the team and the city, and he's one of our top all-time postseason pitchers. Hopefully he'll give us some more quality work next year. He can support the team and city by pitching. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 24, 2023 1:09:25 GMT -6
I'm disappointed LMC hasn't been healthy, but I don't think he's deserving of the hate. He didn't hype himself up as a free agent to try and get some giant contract. He wanted to stay in Houston, they gave him a reasonable extension (partially for what he had already done rather than what he might do), he took it, and he's been hurt. It's not like he wants to be hurt. He's always been supportive of the team and the city, and he's one of our top all-time postseason pitchers. Hopefully he'll give us some more quality work next year. I don't hate him, but I do wish he and the team would quit pretending he's a rotation mainstay. He need to be a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen. Enough is enough. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 24, 2023 7:18:51 GMT -6
If the Astros did pull off a major surprise, by signing Yamamoto, would you be for trading away Valdez or having a super deep rotation?
|
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 24, 2023 7:22:11 GMT -6
If the Astros did pull off a major surprise, by signing Yamamoto, would you be for trading away Valdez or having a super deep rotation? Verlander Valdez Yamamoto Javier Brown 6th starter? - Urquidy, France Or do Urquidy and France become long inning relievers Astros could always trade away a starter mid-season if Garcia and LMC (a big if) are ready to pitch |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 24, 2023 11:58:39 GMT -6
If the Astros did pull off a major surprise, by signing Yamamoto, would you be for trading away Valdez or having a super deep rotation? Valdez is unnecessary if Yamamoto somehow came here. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 24, 2023 12:22:32 GMT -6
If the Astros did pull off a major surprise, by signing Yamamoto, would you be for trading away Valdez or having a super deep rotation? I'm in favor of trading Framber even without Yamamoto. I don't trust him any more and they're not going to extend him. Get something that helps the future for him while you can. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 24, 2023 12:23:10 GMT -6
Astros need rotation depth and we know Crane loves his old vets. Bartolo Colon still got it, pitching south of the border at age 50!
|
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 24, 2023 14:38:25 GMT -6
Astros need rotation depth and we know Crane loves his old vets. Bartolo Colon still got it, pitching south of the border at age 50! Finally, a realistic target. |
|
|
|
Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Nov 24, 2023 16:22:22 GMT -6
Astros need rotation depth and we know Crane loves his old vets. Bartolo Colon still got it, pitching south of the border at age 50! You played right into Sherwins hands with this post (he thinks that's the only kind of player Crane pursues) |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 24, 2023 16:26:21 GMT -6
If the Astros did pull off a major surprise, by signing Yamamoto, would you be for trading away Valdez or having a super deep rotation? I'm in favor of trading Framber even without Yamamoto. I don't trust him any more and they're not going to extend him. Get something that helps the future for him while you can. I’m very disappointed in how he’s responded to the pitch clock. He can’t be trusted. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 24, 2023 16:42:45 GMT -6
I'm in favor of trading Framber even without Yamamoto. I don't trust him any more and they're not going to extend him. Get something that helps the future for him while you can. I’m very disappointed in how he’s responded to the pitch clock. He can’t be trusted. He did have a 1.13 WHIP, pretty good. But I’m all for trading him |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 24, 2023 16:46:31 GMT -6
I’m very disappointed in how he’s responded to the pitch clock. He can’t be trusted. He did have a 1.13 WHIP, pretty good. But I’m all for trading him As bad as he’s pitched at times, the defense is the worst. I’ve never seen a groundball specialist have zero awareness on what to do with the ball like he does. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 24, 2023 17:51:19 GMT -6
He did have a 1.13 WHIP, pretty good. But I’m all for trading him As bad as he’s pitched at times, the defense is the worst. I’ve never seen a groundball specialist have zero awareness on what to do with the ball like he does. He is to fielding balls, as to Altuve is to base path decision making, as to Maldonado is to hitting/throwing out base runners/passed balls, as to LMC is to playing a full season without getting hurt. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 25, 2023 9:32:22 GMT -6
Astros need rotation depth and we know Crane loves his old vets. Bartolo Colon still got it, pitching south of the border at age 50! You played right into Sherwins hands with this post (he thinks that's the only kind of player Crane pursues) I mean, it's not without cause. Verlander, multiple times. Abreu. Brantley. Maldonado. Montero was 32 at the time of his deal last year. Even guys he was after that we didn't get like Starling Marte and Liam Hendriks were in their 30s. Crane really hasn't even pursued a younger free agent for a lengthy deal. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 25, 2023 9:47:38 GMT -6
You played right into Sherwins hands with this post (he thinks that's the only kind of player Crane pursues) I mean, it's not without cause. Verlander, multiple times. Abreu. Brantley. Maldonado. Montero was 32 at the time of his deal last year. Even guys he was after that we didn't get like Starling Marte and Liam Hendriks were in their 30s. Crane really hasn't even pursued a younger free agent for a lengthy deal. But if he did the unthinkable and landed Yamamoto, you’re getting at least a #2 caliber pitcher at 25 years old. He definitely could be an ace. And to lock him up for 7 years plus, when you have a depleted, barren farm system, would do wonders for the club. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 25, 2023 12:22:16 GMT -6
You played right into Sherwins hands with this post (he thinks that's the only kind of player Crane pursues) I mean, it's not without cause. Verlander, multiple times. Abreu. Brantley. Maldonado. Montero was 32 at the time of his deal last year. Even guys he was after that we didn't get like Starling Marte and Liam Hendriks were in their 30s. Crane really hasn't even pursued a younger free agent for a lengthy deal. We all love Altuve but he’s about to be 34 and may be the only player Crane spends big money on. The Astros are headed to be aged out of their window, which is okay if your farm system isn’t ranked dead last. If they keep being dead last, then welcome back to the 2012-2014 era. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 25, 2023 13:22:29 GMT -6
I mean, it's not without cause. Verlander, multiple times. Abreu. Brantley. Maldonado. Montero was 32 at the time of his deal last year. Even guys he was after that we didn't get like Starling Marte and Liam Hendriks were in their 30s. Crane really hasn't even pursued a younger free agent for a lengthy deal. But if he did the unthinkable and landed Yamamoto, you’re getting at least a #2 caliber pitcher at 25 years old. He definitely could be an ace. And to lock him up for 7 years plus, when you have a depleted, barren farm system, would do wonders for the club. Yes. But he won't. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 25, 2023 14:21:31 GMT -6
But if he did the unthinkable and landed Yamamoto, you’re getting at least a #2 caliber pitcher at 25 years old. He definitely could be an ace. And to lock him up for 7 years plus, when you have a depleted, barren farm system, would do wonders for the club. Yes. But he won't. But if he did, would you give him the biggest praise ever? And sense were in LaLa land, and he did sign YY, how would you feel about Astros trading away Valdez away to the Mets for Marte and Gilbert? |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Nov 25, 2023 14:26:43 GMT -6
But if he did, would you give him the biggest praise ever? And sense were in LaLa land, and he did sign YY, how would you feel about Astros trading away Valdez away to the Mets for Marte and Gilbert? He’s owned the team for 12 seasons and has never signed a young coveted free agent. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Nov 25, 2023 15:42:09 GMT -6
But if he did, would you give him the biggest praise ever? And sense were in LaLa land, and he did sign YY, how would you feel about Astros trading away Valdez away to the Mets for Marte and Gilbert? He’s owned the team for 12 seasons and has never signed a young coveted free agent. Hey, you lost your virginity, anything is possible. 😁 |
|
|
|
Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Nov 25, 2023 18:02:52 GMT -6
But if he did, would you give him the biggest praise ever? And sense were in LaLa land, and he did sign YY, how would you feel about Astros trading away Valdez away to the Mets for Marte and Gilbert? He’s owned the team for 12 seasons and has never signed a young coveted free agent. And hasn't needed to. |
|
|
|
Post by Ashitaka on Nov 25, 2023 20:58:04 GMT -6
He’s owned the team for 12 seasons and has never signed a young coveted free agent. And hasn't needed to. Yeah. I keep saying this off-season will be interesting, because this team has entered new territory. They can no longer rely on the farm that Luhnow built and the young core isn't young anymore. It has been easy to field juggernaut teams with (relatively) little financial investment. Crane is going to have to decide if he wants to continue to field juggernaut squads or if he's willing to be merely competitive while never going over the cap. |
|
